Background, Georgia and S Ossetia.

[Scrat]

A very interesting read, it gives a little background on the region and points a finger at one of humanities biggest problems. Ethnic hatred.

This hatred seems to be one of the best tools for little dictators, it gives them a reason to exist, something to motivate the extremists, the movers and shakers of society. This article shines a bright light on a lot of ugly things.

I also have to ask, if Russia had not intervened what would have happened to the S Ossetians.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/wo...borova.html?hp

[spot]

I notice in today's Pravda that

One day after recognizing Abkhazia, the island nation of Nauru has established diplomatic relations and recognized South Ossetia. The agreement was signed on Wednesday following a visit to South Ossetia by a delegation from Nauru. Officially known now as the Republic of Nauru, the tiniest country in the world was formerly known as Pleasant Island, an island nation in Micronesia in the South Pacific.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia Recognized - Pravda.Ru

One wonders what Moscow did recently for the Nauruians but I bet they agreed it at Copenhagen this week.

[Scrat]

I heard that they donated a few million to them. I don't even see where the recognition factor is needed. If we get the right politicians involved sovereignty won't be an issue. Considering the Balkans factor we had just better leave things alone. It is laughable, besides bird poop things like this is all Nauru has to sell.

There's many factions here and from what I heard it essentially comes down to mafia smuggling rights in S Ossetia and in Abkhazia smuggling rights and waterfront property development. Top that off with ethnic hatred (this is mostly a Georgian condition, remember "Georgia for Georgians"?) and you have a volatile mix. Russia is keeping the lid on it.